642 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



of the compound sulphur ointment, or the green iodide, and the exhibition of arsenic Internally. 

 (See article on ekzema.) 



3. Deafness. 



Deafness in the dog may either be congenital or may come on at any period of the 

 animal's life, and from many different causes. Perhaps the commonest of all causes is perforation 

 of the tympanum, as the result of canker of the ear, or the accumulation of matter, or hyper- 

 trophy of the lining of the ear from the same disease. 



Deafness may sometimes come on suddenly from catarrh, causing occlusion of the Eustachian 

 tube, or from the metastasis of rheumatism. Obscure cases are no doubt often of a nervous 

 character. 



Treatment. To begin with, deaf puppies ought to be destroyed. There is no more stupid 

 nor useless animal in the world than a deaf dog. When the disease comes on gradually in old 

 dogs, nothing can be done except improving the tone of the general health. If it is caused by 

 canker, curing that disease will always relieve, if it does not actually cure, the deafness. 



If it is of rheumatic origin the treatment must be directed to the removal of the cause. In 

 all cases of deafness coming on suddenly, a careful examination of the ear should be made, 

 and if inflammation is found, washing out of the meatus should be resorted to, and a lead lotion 

 of half the strength of that used in canker afterwards dropped in twice a day. Several doses of 

 opening medicine should then be given, letting one day intervene. The sulphate of soda with 

 a little nitre will be best. Give also every night, for three or four nights, a dose of Mindererus 

 spirit. If the deafness still continues, recourse must be had to the iodide of potassium, a course 

 of which will often cure it when everything else fails. 



$, Pot. iodid. ... ... gr. j. ad gr. v. 



Ferri et quinae citr. ... gr. ij. ad gr. x. 



Aquae q. s. 



F' haustus. M. 



Ter die. 



In all diseases of the ear the general health of the animal should be attended to, and a course 

 of tonics and cod-liver oil, with now and then a gentle aperient, never fail to do good. 



